Auxiliary armour in a set of

Japanese armour Scholars agree that Japanese armour first appeared in the 4th century, with the discovery of the cuirass and basic helmets in graves. During the ''Heian period'' (794-1185), the unique Japanese samurai armour ''ō-yoroi'' and ''dō-maru'' appea ...

are optional pieces worn by the

samurai were the hereditary military nobility and officer caste of medieval and early-modern Japan from the late 12th century until their abolition in 1876. They were the well-paid retainers of the '' daimyo'' (the great feudal landholders). They h ...

class of

feudal Japan The first human inhabitants of the Japanese archipelago have been traced to Japanese Paleolithic, prehistoric times around 30,000 BC. The Jōmon period, named after its cord-marked pottery, was followed by the Yayoi period in the first millenni ...

in addition to the traditional six armour components.

Description

The six major articles or components of Japanese armour (''hei-no-rokugu, roku gu, or roku gusoku'') are the dou or dō (chest armour), kabuto (helmet), mengu (facial armour), kote (armoured sleeves), sune-ate (shin armour), and the hai-date (thigh armour). Additional armour protection was available for the neck, armpit, chest, waist and feet. These auxiliary armours covered areas of the body that were exposed by gaps in the regular armour items or where additional protection was required.

Wakibiki

Wakibiki are simple rectangles of cloth covered with ''kusari'' (chain armor), ''karuta'' (small rectangular or square plates), or ''kikko'' (hexagon plates). These iron or leather armours or a combination of them were sewn to the cloth backing. Wakibiki could also be made from one solid piece of iron or hardened leather. The ''wakibiki'' had cords connected to them which allowed the ''wakibiki'' to hang from the shoulder, the ''wakibiki'' was then suspended over the exposed arm pit area. ''Wakibiki'' were worn inside of the chest armour ''dou (dō)'' or on the outside depending on the type. File:Wakibiki 4.JPG, A pair of antique Japanese (samurai) ''tetsu'' (iron) ''wakibiki'' (armpit protectors). File:Tetsu wakibiki.JPG, A ''tetsu'' (iron) ''wakibiki'' installed on a ''hon iyozane dou''. File:Kikko wakibiki 3.JPG, A ''kikko wakibiki'' installed on a ''hon iyozane dou''. File:Kikko wakibiki.JPG, A pair of antique Japanese (samurai) Edo period ''kikko wakibiki''.

Manju no wa

Manju no wa, ( also ''manjunowa'' or ''manju nowa'' ) are a combination of shoulder pads, collar and armpit guards in one that protected the upper chest area. Manju no wa were covered with different types of armour including ''kusari'' (chain armour), ''karuta'' (small square or rectangular armour plates), or ''kikko'' (hexagon plates), these iron or leather armours or a combination of them were sewn to a cloth backing. The armour could be exposed or hidden between a layer of cloth. When worn the ''manju no wa'' looked like a small tight fitting vest. ''Manju no wa'' have small wings that would pass under the arm pit area from the back and attach to the front of the ''manju no wa'' with a button, toggle or ties. File:Samurai wearing a manju no wa.jpg, An Edo period print of a samurai putting on a ''manju no wa''. File:Manju no wa 3.JPG, An antique Japanese (samurai) ''manju no wa''. This ''manju no wa'' is made with a lining of ''kusari'' (chain armour) hidden between an inner and outer layer of cloth. File:Manju no wa.JPG, Antique Japanese (samurai) manju no wa. Kusari (chain armour) and ''kikko'' (small hexagon armour plates) sewn to cloth. File:Kusari manchira 1.JPG, Antique Japanese (samurai) manju-no-wa, made from chain armour ''kusari'' sewn to a cloth backing.

Manchira

Manchira are a type of armoured vest covered with different types of armour including ''kusari'' (chain armour), ''karuta'' (small square or rectangular armour plates), or ''kikko'' (hexagon plates), these iron or leather armours or a combination of them were sewn to a cloth backing. The armour could be exposed or hidden between a layer of cloth. ''Manchira'' are usually larger than ''manju no wa'' and protected the chest area and sometimes the neck and arm pit. Some ''manchira'' could be worn over the chest armour ''dou (dō) ''. File:Kikko manchira.JPG, Japanese (samurai) Edo period kikko manchira. an armoured vest "manchira" with small hexagon iron plates "kikko" hidden between layers of cloth. File:Kikko vest.JPG, Japanese (samurai) Edo period Japanese (samurai) kikko vest ''manchira''. File:Chain mail vest.JPG, Antique Edo period Japanese (samurai) samurai chain mail vest or manchira. This was worn under traditional armour or clothing as hidden protection. File:Kikko katabira.JPG, Antique Japanese (samurai) Edo period ''kikko manchira'' or a vest made with hexagon armour plates ''kikko''.

Tate-eri

Tate-eri are small padded pillow like pieces with a standing armoured collar that sits on the shoulder to protect from the weight of the breastplate or cuirass (''dō''). The standing collar would be lined with ''kikko'' (hexagon plates) armour to protect the neck.''Japanese arms & armor''
Crown Publishers, 1969 page 33 File:Tate-eri 3.JPG, Tare-eri, installed on a breastplate. File:Tate-eri.JPG, Tare-eri. File:Tate-eri 1.JPG, Tate-eri. File:Tate-eri 2.JPG, Tare-eri, reverse view.

Kōgake

Kōgake are various types of armoured

socks A sock is a piece of clothing worn on the feet and often covering the ankle or some part of the calf. Some types of shoes or boots are typically worn over socks. In ancient times, socks were made from leather or matted animal hair. In the late ...

that could cover just the top of the foot or be worn as a shoe or slipper. Kōgake could be covered with small iron plates or chainmail. File:Kôgake armored tabi.JPG File:Kusari tabi.JPG File:Kôgake 5.JPG File:Kôgake 1.JPG

Nodowa and guruwa

Nodowa and guruwa are similar types of neck protection, the nodowa would be tied around the back of the neck and the guruwa wrapped completely around the neck. File:Guruwa, throat and neck protector.JPG File:Guruwa, throat and neck protector 1.JPG File:Nodowa 1.JPG File:Kusari nodowa.JPG

References

External links

Examination and restoration of an antique Japanese manchira

Pattern from Anthony Bryants web site.
{{Japanese (samurai) weapons, armour and equipment Samurai armour Japanese clothing